The Evolution of Sustainable Business Model Innovation: Evidence from a Sharing Economy Platform in China

Haibo Hu, Tao Huang, Yang Cheng and Haitao Lu
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Haibo Hu: School of Business Administration, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, West Fenglin Street, Economic and Technical Development Zone, Nanchang 330032, China
Tao Huang: Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 16, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Yang Cheng: School of Business Administration, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, West Fenglin Street, Economic and Technical Development Zone, Nanchang 330032, China
Haitao Lu: School of Business Administration, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, West Fenglin Street, Economic and Technical Development Zone, Nanchang 330032, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: In this paper, we explore the emergence of Sheke Network (SKN), an architecture design company whose network platform permits architecture design institutes to seek suitable architects for their architectural design projects. The concepts of sustainable business model (SBM) innovation are used to analyze the SKN’s novel business model, which is built around modern internet technologies, and SKN’s distinct appeal, which centers on cost savings, resource sharing, and the potential for access to more architects’ experiences. Although SBM innovation theory has had a significant impact on management practices and aroused plenty of rich debate within academia, it is still not clearly understood how a company might successfully build a sharing economy (SE) platform using SBM innovation. Thus, this article analyzes the process of SBM innovation in terms of its three essential factors—sustainable value proposition (SVP), sustainable value creation and delivery (SVC&D), and sustainable value capture (SVC)—aiming to disambiguate the black box by examining SKN as a case study. The findings highlight the dynamic evolution of SBM innovation in the development of a sharing economy platform.

Keywords: SBM innovation; sharing economy platform; value mechanisms; architectural design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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